. I believe in continental Europe they operate as a centrally owned brand.

There is one near Evian in France, nice big shop which depending on the time of year you used to be able to pick up some nice tennis stuff. On their website the local DW we have here is listed as an intersport so the franchise thing makes sense. I notice that our local JJB is now boarded up,happened pretty quick but as i think i said before if a sports direct opens in the unit next door and you don't alter your prices accordingly they were always in trouble.